Control mechanism for fluidactuated devices



C. W. MOTT Oct. 26, 1943.

' CONTROL MECHANISM FORFLUID-ACIUATED DEV-ICES Filed Au 20, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 1 C. W. MOTT Oct. 26, 1943.

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR FLUID-ACTUATED DEVICES Filed Aug. '2Q, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ihmfen'Er [222'] Q w OTTL Q LI C. W. MOTT Oct. 26, 1943.

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR FLUID-ACTUATED DEVICES Filed Aug. 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 'IIIIIIII ITu/en'Er o# M 7 M P atentedoct. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES PATIENT, OFFICE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR FLUID- ACTUATED DEVICES Carl w. Mott, La Grange, 111., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New J ersey Application August 20, 1941, Serial NJ. 407,559

9 Claims. (01. 60-15) This invention relates to control mechanism for fluid-actuated devices and more particularly to automatic control mechanism particularly adapted for use with fluid-actuated devices adapted to be operated by exhaust fluid from an internal combustion engine source.

It is an object of the invention to provide a control mechanism adapted to be operated by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine with an automatic pressure releasable means, whereby the mechanism may be returned to a neutral position automatically after the fluidactuated devices have been operated to perform work upon-parts adapted to be moved.

It is another object of the invention to provide ments a linkage which has within itself a spring.

biased means serving jointly to place a spring bias upon the valve means operated by the linkage and to maintain the control mechanism latched against a stop means.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a control mechanism for fluid power arrange-f device is so constructed that it can be located in a position removed from the other parts of the fluid mechanism and where it serves as a stop means for the manually operable control element. In another form of the control mechanism there is provided means on the manually operable controlrod for reducing the amount-of effort required to operate the manual means against the action of-the spring biasing-means. This lastmentioned means takes the form of a lever pivoted to have a mechanical advantage so that the operator need not exert the full force required to compress the spring biased lost-motion connection means provided in the control linkage. This control mechanism has particular adaptation for use with a fluid' power arrangement utilizing exhaust fluid from an internal combustion engine to perform; work upon parts adapted to be moved an automatic releasable means which is adapted to be located in a position removed irom other parts or the control mechanism so that it may serve as a stop means for a manually operable control element. I

It is another object of the invention to provide in a control mechanism a manually operable lever so connected to the manually operable control mechanism as to, provide a mechanical advantage upon the manually operable control mechanism being operated to be latched over a stopmeans,

against the action of a spring whereby the control mechanism may be more easily operated.

According to the present invention, there has been provided in the control mechanism for oper-' ,ating the-valves serving to control the delivery of fluid to a fluid-actuated device, a linkage having springbiased lost-motion connection means within itself which is adapted to be stretched as from one position 'to another, such as of a type shown in the present inventor's copending application, Serial No. 353,099, filed August 17, 1940, and relating to power arrangements for agricultural implements. The present invention renders the prior arrangement shown in the above application more automatic andmore efficient in its operation. a

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a tractor having an internal combustion engine with an the control mechanism is manually operated so as to retain the control mechanism against a stop means time having been operated. This spring biasing means also serves to place a bias upon the valve which has been operated by the control mechanism thereby providing a safety arrangement which willpermit the valve to open upon undue pressure being created in the fluid arrangement, and to-insure the positive closing of the valve. Associated with this control mechanism'is an automatic release device operable after the fluid-actuated device has been operated to releasethe control mechanism so that it may be returned to a neutral position. This releasable exhaust outlet and of a'fluid power arrangement embodying the features of the present invention for receiving the fluid from the exhaust gas outlet to efiect movement of implements mounted on the tractor;

Fi ure 2 is a of control rod;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view partly 'in section of the control mechanism for the fluid-actuated devices:

Figure 3- is a fragmentary view taken on the line li -3 in Figure 3, showing details of a.

linkage;

- Figure 4 is a view partly in section of the pressure releasable device set to retain the control rod in its latched position; Figure 5 is aview similar to Figure 4 of the automatic release device with its locking element I out of connection with the control rod; and,

Figures 6 to '9, inclusive, are detailed views of the checlg valve mechanism serving as a part of the nuid'arrangement. v

Referring now' particularly to Figure 1, there is detailed view of a modified form shown a tractor in having a forward wheel-supporting structure U adapted to be operated by a steering mechanism |2 accessible to an operators station I3 on the rear of the tractor Ill. The rear portion of the tractor I is supported on the tractor drive wheels I! adapted to receive power from a rear axle structure l5. structure l5 has depending axle housings IE to which is' pivoted as at I! a rear implement |8 having a working tool l9 thereon. Connected to the, forward part of the tractor is a laterally extending bracket structure to which is connected a forward implement 2| having working tools 22. The forward implement 2| is connected to the bracket structure 20 by means of parallel links 23, and it will thus be apparent that the same is adapted for vertical movement to and from its ground-working position;

As a means for moving the forward and rearward implements, there is provided a fluid-actuated device 28 anchored to the rear axle-structure l5 at 29 and adapted to be extended in length, the same taking the form of a cylinder with a Working piston therein. The movable part of the fluid-actuated device is connected by means of a rockable structure 30 to the forward implement structure 2|. mounted midship on the tractor by a bracket 3|. The rockable arm structure rocks with respect to the bracket 3| and is connected to the forward implement by means of a lift rod 62 having a pressure spring 33 thereon. This pressure spring 32 reacts against a trunnion element 36 on the rockable structure 36 to place pressure on the implement structure 2| to hold the working tools 22 in their ground-working position. The fluid-actuating device 26 is of the single-acting type and as a means for maintaining the same collapsed so that the pressure spring 33 can beeil'ective, there is provided a heavy master spring 35 connected between the cylinder part of the fluidactuated device and the rear axle structure E5. The rockable arm structure 30 is connected to the fluid-actuated device by means of an arm 36 connected as indicated to the fluid-actuated device as at 31. Also at 31 there is connected a rearwardly extending rod 36, which serves to simultaneously pivot a rockable structure 39 mounted on the rear axle structure i5 for pivotal movement and connected to a lifting rod 46 which is in turn connected to the rear implement ill. The rockable member 39 also ha a trunnion M against which a pressure spring 82 may react to hold the rear working tool IS in its ground-working position. It should now be apparent that when the fluid-actuating device 26 is actuated, both the forward and rearward implements are raised in unisonout of their groundworking positions.

The tractor III has an internal combustion engine adapted for primarily propelling the rear I drive wheels l4. Said engine has an exhaust gas outlet means 46 for normally dissipating the exhaust gases to the atmosphere. The engine and 7 its exhaust gas outlet serve as a means for providin a fluid source suflicient to effect opera- The rear axle ed portion 5| adapted to be threaded into the exhaust outlet means 46. Exhaust fluid normally flows through the opening 49, past the plate 48. and through an opening 52 in the upper part of the casting 50 for its dissipation to the atmosphere. When it is desired to operat the fluidactuated device, means is provided for causing 'the closure plate 48 to fit over the opening".

' connection 51 to the fluid-actuated devic 28.

The trap valve device 56, as shown more clearly in the various views of Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, serves to retain the fluid in the fluid-actuated device 28. The fluid enters the device through .an

' opening 58 and leaves the device through an This rockabl structur 30 is opening 59. Within the opening 59 is provided a; closure or valve plate 60 adapted to normally flt upon the valve seat 6|.

set itself on the valve seat 6| and there be' retained by the pressure in the fluid-actuated device. Associated with this check valve device 56 is a means for operating the plate 60 so as tocause return of the fluid from the fluid-actuated device. This means includes a rockable cam shaft 62. having a fiat portion 63 in vertical alinement spect to the pin 64, so that as the cam shaft 62 is tion of the fluid-actuated device 28. The following description will be directed to thecontrol mechanism adapted to control .the flow of fluid to and from the fluid-actuated device 28.

I 'i In the exhaust gas outlet means 46 is provided a valve means 41 shown more in detail in Figure 3. This valve means 41 includes a closure plate i6 adapted to flt over an opening 46 provided in i a hollow casting 56. The casting 50 has a threadrotated the outer edge of theflattened portion .63 will be rotated about the axis of the shaft so as toeflectthe lifting of the closure plate 60, this operation being illustrated particularly in the Figures 8 and 9. The cam shaft 62 has secured adapted for the connection thereto 01 a spring 1 I, which tends always tomaintain the cam shaft 62 rotated to the position shown in Figure 9, wherein the closure plate will be allowed to remain on its seat 6|. Thisspring tends to rotate the shaft in a clockwise direction and to maintain the arm 66 against a stop pin I2. So long as the shaft is maintained in this position, fluid passes to the fluid-actuated device 26 where it is normally retained, since the valve plate 66 remains on the seat portion 6|. The spring is fastened as indicated at I3 to the check valve device. The check'valve device is supported on the tractor by a supporting bracket 14.

v Also fastened on the tractor is a'second-supporting bracket 15 which serves as a journal portion for a rockabl structure I6. This arm structure is normally maintained in its clockwise rotated position him of a coil As the fluid passes through the device 56, the plate 60 will separate automatically from the valve seat 6| to permitthe fluid to pass to the fluid-actuated"device. When the fluid source is out 01f, the plate 66 will sure will be placed on the e 2332.740 .sprlng11adaptedtoreactagainstalug18 on the supporting bracket 15. The opposite end oi.

. phragm II which in the coil spring bears against a forwardly extendingarm 19, forming a part of the rockable struc-' Ian-e 16, as indicated at 80. The arm 19 extends downwardly at the left'side of the tractor for connection with a spring biased lost-motion connection means II. On the outer end of thearm 19 is a trunnion element 82 slidable on a link 83 connecting the arm structure 16 with.an arm 84 used for operating the closure plate 48 in the gas outlet casting 59. The arm 84 is rigidly con-- nected to ashatt 85 pivotable in the casting 50 and on which is an arm 86 connected with the closure plate 48. As the link 83 is pulled rearthe same to be moved to the left to as fluid pressure is placed upon the right side of the'diaphragm IM and when applied will cause e the position shown in Figure 5. The part 00 has a wardly by coimter-elockwise rotation 6f the-arm 19, the closure plate" is lowered to close the opening 49. Since the trunnion 82 is slidableon thelinkli andisonly resistedbya spring 81 forming a part of. the spring biased lost-motion connection means 8|, the plate 48 will be retained on its seat by the spring 81, the arm structure 16 having been rotated and rigidly held in a flxed position in a manner to be afterwards described.

As a means for varying the' amount of spring pressure supplied to :the closure plate 48 by the spring 81, there is provided an adjusting means threaded portion I06 on which is threaded a cap I01 having an opening I08 through which ex-' tends the plunger element I09 of the plunger mechanism l02. Against the inner face or the cap member I01 bears a spring IIO coiled about the plunger pin element I09 and serving to normally maintain the diaphragm IOI in its inoperative position shown. in Figure 4. By having the cap element I01 threaded to the part I00, an

- adjustment of the spring pressure may be made.

88 on the rearward end of the link 81. The rearward end of the link 81 is threaded, as indicated at 89, and has nuts 90 thereon. As these adjusting nuts 90 are adjusted, the effectiveness ofth'e spring 81 is varied. Retained on the link 83 by means of the adjusting nuts 90 is a stop piece 9| having a portion 92 against which the trunnion 82 may bear to effect forward movementoi! the link 83 as .when it is desired to release the closure plate 48. This forward move- 'ment or the link a: is effected to some extent by means of the spring 11 on the pivotal structure 16 when the 'same has been released from its counter-clockwise rotated position,

When it is desired to effect operation of the mud-actuated device 28, the pivotable structure 16 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by the manual control rod 68. This control rod 68 has a handle portion 98 accessible'to the oper- This adjustment serves as a means whereby the automatic releasable device 98 -may be readily adjusted for operation depending upon the different types of tools mounted on the tractor.

Each of the'tools have different weights and the automatic release have to be varied to be effective at the proper time for release of the control rod 68 after the working tools have been moved to their raised position. The pin element I 09 has at its rearward end a flange I I I for connection with the diaphragm IM and a threaded opening II2. 0n the opposite side of the diaphragm [0| is a connecting plate H3 which is secured against the diaphragm IN by' means oi atorsstation l3. The pivotal-arm structure 16 has a second and rearwardly extending a m p rtion 9! located on the right side of the tractor and connected to the control rod 68 as indicated at 95. Since the trap valve device 56 is also located on the right side of the tractor, the control rod 68 is in position to receive the rod 69 connected to the arm 66 of the .trap valve device. The rod 68 is pulled rearwardly by the operator until a lug portion 96 thereon engages with a locking arm 91 of an automatic releasable device 98. In pulling the rod rearwardly .the closure plate 48 covers the opening 49 and spring presclosure plate 48 by means ofthe spring biasing lost-motioniconnection means 8!. Also, this spring biased lostmotion cbnnection means will. serve to some extent to retain the lug portion 96 of the control rod 66 against the locking element 91. It should thus be apparent'that there has beeh provided an extensibleiinkage including a lost-motion connection means which has the double function of placing spring pressure on the-closure plate l8. and for maintaining th e control against a stop means 98. r

Referring now parti ularlyto Figures 4 and 5,

rod

there is shown in detail the automatic releasable device 98. This device includes two housing parts 99 and I0 l between' which is maintained 9. diaa screw bolt I ll adapted to be received within the threaded opening I I2 of the pin element l0l.

Byhaving a sufliciently long hose connection I03, the automatic releasable device 98 may be located in'a position removed from the other devices and. at a location where thesame readily serves as a stop element for the manually operable control rod 68. It is supported on a pedestal H6 which serves to support the steering mechanism I2. This connection with the pedestal H5 is made by means of a bracket structu e H6 having an opening II1 through which extends the control rod 68. The walls in the opening I I1 serve to retain the control rod 68 against lateral movement and thereby serve as a guide for the also has a hook portion I20 adapted to hook over the lug 96 on the control rod 68.

When the fluid-actuated device has been operated the latch element 91 has been rotated to disengage the hook portion I20 thereof from the lug 96, the control rod 68 is automatically returned to a neutral position by'the coil spring 11 on the pivotal structure 16.' This forward movement of the control rod 68 continues until a second lug portion I2I 0n the lower edge of the control'rod engages with a lower edge portion I22 of the opening H1 in the manner-shown in Figure 5. This forward movement of the control rod 68 is suflicient to cause the trunnion element 82 to engage withthe stop 92 to effect forward movementof the link 88- to raise the closure plate 48 from the opening 49. The flow of the exhaust gases to the atmosphere is then continued. The duration ov'er which the exhaust gases have been.

diverted is only suflicient to efiect filling of the fluid-actuated device 28 with suflicient fluid to cause its operation. This is usually of very short duration and not sufiicient to interfere with the operation of the internal combustion engine 45. If it was desired by the operator to merely raise the working. tool a slight distance to adjust the the operator pulling the same upwardly and over the opening edgeportion I22 so that it slid'es through the opening II'I. When this is done the link 69 is acted upon to cause rotation of the shaft 62 and the raising of the closure plate 60 of the trap valve device 56. The ring connection of the element 69, as indicated at ID, has permitted the links to slide upwardly alongthe control rod 68-for engagement witha cotter pin I23. The control rod will havethen pushed forwardly the link 69 against the action of the spring II to efiect a lifting of the closure plate 60 01f its seat BI to a position shown in Figures 7 and 8. The exhaust fluid then leaves the fluidactuated device 28 by way of a trap valve device through the fluid communication 55 to the gas outlet means thereby returning by the same path over which it was delivered to the fluid-actuated device. It should also be apparent that this lowering movement can be efiected in small steps so that by the mechanism an adjusting of the working tools can be efiected. After the working tools have'been lowered the control rod 68 will have been operated and further movement 01 the handle portion I39 rearwardly compresses the spring I38. Since the compressing force is done by lever action of the lever I21, the efiort incumbent on the operator is not so great as with the form of arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 3. It should now be apparent that control mechanism has been provided. for operation with a fluid power mechanism, of a type adapted for use with internal combustion engines, wherein there is provided an automatic releasable device which'tends to render the entire control mecha- 'nism automatic in its operation and which at the same time serves as a stop means for the positioning of a manually. operable control linkage. It should also be apparent that there has been provided a linkage for control mechanism which is extensible but which includes a spring biased lost-motion connection means serving to place a bias on an operative valve and at the same time to serve in the maintaining of the control linkbe returned to the neutral position by meansof the spring II of the trap valve device 56.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a I modified form of manual operating mechanism I26 including a control handle I21 which is pivotally connected, as indicated at I21, to an element I28 carrying the lugs I29 and I30, corresponding respectively with the lugs 96 and I2! of the form of control rod arrangement shown in Figure 1. In effect the control rod 68 is shortened, and there is attached to the rearward end of the same the mechanism I26. The attachment is made as indicated at I3I and is adjustable along a threaded portion I32 of the con-- trol rod 68. This mechanism I26 includes a spring biased lost-motion connection means I33 adapted to replace the lost-motion connection means 8| of the linkage shown in the other figures'and as heretofore described. The lever I2| pivoted to the element I28 is also pivoted at I34 to' a part I35 rigidly connected to a supporting element I36 through which the element I28 is slidable. This supporting element I36 is in turn connected to the rod 68 by the adjustable means I3I. The supporting piece I36 has. an upwardly turned portion I31 with an opening therethrough, and a spring I38 coiled on the element I28 and secured by a cotter pin I38 will react against this portion I31. The lever element I21 is arranged to. have a mechanical advantage when pulled rearwardly by the operator grasping handle portion I39 so that the spring I38 may be more easily compressed than the spring 8:! in the iorm' of linkage shown in the Figures 1 and 3.

The coil spring 11 of the pivotal structure 16 is also more readily overcome by operating means of this form. With this arrangement the mechanism I26 and rod 68 are pulled back bodily a age against a stop means.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it should be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluid power arrangement, means providing a fluid pressure source, a fluid-actuated device in communication with the fluid pressure source, valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the fluid-actuated device, said valve means being closed against the fluid pressure to cause the fluid to be diverted to the fluid-actuated device, stop means, a linkage .for closing the valve means including a manually operable, axially niovable control rod, 2!. spring biased lost-motion connection means serving jointly to place a bias on the rod against the stop means and on the valve means in its closed position, and a hand-operated lever mechanism carried on the control rod and bodily movable therewith until the valve means has been operated, said mechanism being operable at near the end of the axial movement of the control rod to counteract the action 01' the spring biased lost-motion connection means whereby due to" lever action thelocking of the control rod with the stop means is facilitated.

2. In a control mechanism, an operatablepart adapted to be controlled in its operation, a linkage connected to said part and manipulatable for operating the same and including a spring biased lost-motion means in the linkage to permit the same to be stretched when the linkage is manipulated beyond a predetermined limit atwhich said part is operated, stop means serving to retain the linkage in such'manipulated position; engagement means on the linkage adapted to be seated over the stop means when the linkage is so stretched, a manually operable lever pivotally on the linkage to be bodily movable there- 'meansto preclude pivotal movement of the lever so that force is appliable thereto for manipulating the linkage to said limit and to'stretch the linkage as aforesaid pursuant to pivotal movement ofthe lever after said limit is reached, to I Y to place a bias of the facilitate the seating of said engagement means over said stop means to maintain the linkage in the manipulated condition.

3. In a fluid power arrangement, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust fluid outlet means, a fluid-actuated device connected to the exhaust fluid outlet means to receive the exhaust fluid therefrom, valve means for causing the exhaust fluid from the exhaust outlet means to be diverted to the fluid-actuated device including a manually operable control rod movable to a position to cause the exhaust fluid to flow to the fluid-actuated device, and exhaust pressure releasable means associated with the control rod and serving asa stop means for retaining the I control rod in its moved position but releasable upon a predetermined pressure being reached to permit return of the control rod from its moved position whereby the flow of exhaust fluid to the fluid-actuated device will be automatically discontinued.

4. In a fluid power arrangement, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust fluid outlet means, a fluid-ractuated device connected to the exhaust fluid outlet means to receive exhaust fluid therefrom, valve means associated with the outlet means for interrupting the normal flow of the exhaust fluid to the atmosphere to cause the same to be diverted to the fluid-actuated device, stop means, a linkage adapted for manually closing the valve means including a manually operable control rod adapted to'cooperate with the stop means to hold the valve means closed against the normal flow of the exhaust fluid, and a spring biased lost-motion means therein serving jointly to place a bias of the control rod against the stop means and on the valve means in its closed position.

5. In a fluid power arrangement, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust fluid outlet means, a fluid-actuated device connected to the exhaust fluid outlet means to receive exhaust fluid therefrom, valve means associated with the outlet means for interrupting the normal flow oi the exhaust fluid to the atmosphere to cause the same to be diverted to the fluid-actuated device,

stop means, a linkage adapted for manually closing the valve means including a manually operable control rodadapted to cooperate with the stop means to hold the valve means closed against the normal flow of the exhaust fluid, and a spring biased lost-motion means therein serving iointly control rod against the stop means and on the valve means in its closed position, and a manually operable lever pivoted on the control rod to have a mechanical advantage and operable to counteract the action of spring means when the control rod is locked with the stop means.

6. In a valve control arrangement, a valve adapted to be operated, a control mechanism-tor operating the valve including an extensible linkage with a spring biased lost-motion means therein, means for locking the valve against the action of the spring biased means, said lockin means including a lever bodily carried by the linkage, and means-for connecting the lever to the spring biased lost-motion means to effect lever action upon the same as the linkage is extended to lock the valve in its operated position.

'7. In a valvecontrol arrangement, a valve adapted to be operated, a control mechanism for operating the valve including an extensible linkage with a spring biased lost-motion means therein, means for locking the valve against the action of the spring biased means, said locking means including a lever bodily carried by the linkage, means for connecting the lever to the spring biased lost-motion means to effect lever action upon the same as the linkage is extended to lock the valve in its operated position, and automatic means for unlocking the locking means .after an interval of time to permit return of the linkage and valve to their original positions.

8. In a valve 'control arrangement, a valve adapted to be operated, a manual control mech- 9. In a valve control'arrangement, a valve adapted to be operated, a manual control mechanism for operating the valve including an extensible linkage with a spring biased lost-motion means therein, engagement means on the-linkage, stop means adapted to retain the enga ement means and the valve in its operated position, and

means adapted to act upon the stop means for automatically releasing the engagement means after an interval of time.

CARL W. MOTI. 

